A MEAT MARKET FOR DUNEDIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1395, 24 August 1878, Page 13

A MEAT MARKET FOR DUNEDIN.

(Otago Daily Times, August 21st.) We are surprised that the letter signed "Northern Grazier," published in our issue of the 10th inst., has not given rise to a discussion as to the advisability of establishing a meat market in Dunedin, because the question is one that directly affects almost everyone in the city. Having in vie nr the speedy opening of railway communication between this city and some of tha finest meat producing districts in the Colony, our correspondent enquired through our columns, what probability there was of a meat market being opened here, at the same time pointing out that in large centres of population in England and elsewhere the economy and advantages of meat markets were well understood. Among the advantages to be gained by the establishment of such a market h,9 contended that the public would obtain meat of a far finer quality by receiving it in the carcase from the localities where it was produced, as it is a well-known fact that there is always a falling off in the quality of the flesh of animals that have been driven long distances, or knocked about in railway tracks. The nuisance of slaughter-houses in or near a large city would be done away with, and the meat, being sold by public auction or by salesmen, could always be obtained for a fair price. Without claiming to possess any special knowledge of this subject, we think the suggestion of our correspondent is worth attention and should receive the consideration its importance deserves. There would, of course, bo considerable opposition to the establishment of a meat-market, but as that would come from those persons who are directly interested in maintaining the trade in its present form, it would not have much weight with the public. A new class of business men— salesmen — would be requirod, or else there would have to be auction sales every morning or every other morning. Special arrangements would also have to bo made with the Railway Department for tha conveyance of the meat in carcase. But none of the difficulties that present themselves a^em to be of an insuperable kind ; and it appears to us that if such a market were established, there would be a considerable reduction in the price of an article of general consumption.